Greta Thunberg Arrested at Pro-Palestinian Demonstration in London

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was arrested by London police on December 23, 2025, during a "Prisoners for Palestine" lock-on protest outside a government building in central London. The demonstration was in support of pro-Palestinian activists, including hunger strikers, who have been imprisoned for actions related to the Palestine solidarity movement. Thunberg was among several protesters detained after they locked themselves to the building's entrance in a bid to block access and draw attention to their cause.

According to a statement from the Prisoners for Palestine group, Thunberg was arrested under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000, which allows police to detain individuals suspected of involvement in terrorist activities or supporting proscribed organizations. The activist was reportedly holding a sign that read "I support the Palestine Action prisoners" at the time of her arrest. Palestine Action is a direct-action group that has been classified as a proscribed terrorist organization in the UK since late 2024 due to its campaign of vandalism and disruption targeting companies linked to Israel.

Eyewitnesses and fellow protesters described the scene as tense, with police moving in swiftly to cut through lock-on devices and remove demonstrators from the site. Thunberg, who has increasingly voiced support for the Palestinian cause in recent years, was taken into custody along with at least a dozen others. The Metropolitan Police confirmed multiple arrests at the protest but did not immediately name individuals or specify the exact charges beyond referencing powers under the Terrorism Act.

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The arrest has sparked immediate controversy and widespread attention on social media, with supporters condemning it as an attempt to silence dissent and critics accusing Thunberg of aligning with groups linked to extremism. The incident marks the latest in a series of high-profile detentions of climate and pro-Palestine activists in the UK, where authorities have increasingly used expanded anti-terrorism and public order laws to curb disruptive protests.

Thunberg, 22, has faced arrest multiple times in various countries for civil disobedience actions related to climate change and, more recently, solidarity with Palestine. Her detention under the Terrorism Act is likely to fuel further debate over the use of such legislation against peaceful protesters and the boundaries of free expression in the UK. As of Tuesday evening, she remained in custody pending further questioning and possible charges.

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